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Sizemore takes next step, does outfield drills

Sizemore takes next step, does outfield drills

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore took another step forward in his recovery from left knee surgery on Friday morning.

For the first time since undergoing a microfracture procedure in June, Sizemore took part in outfield drills. He participated in a group setting, catching fly balls and fielding grounders during the club's morning workout.

"I felt good," Sizemore said. "It's small steps, but it felt good to get out there."

Sizemore continued to take batting practice with no issues and stuck to his every-other-day running routine with some sprint and agility excercises. Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said that he's started to up the intensity of the running drills.

"We're adding things," said Sizemore, referring to the various running drills he is working through. "Intensity-wise, it's just kind of how I feel that day. Obviously, every day we go out there we add a little bit more. Everything felt good today."

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti noted earlier this week that it was unlikely Sizemore will be ready for Opening Day. He still needs to complete a baserunning progression before possibly being cleared for Spring Training games later this month.

Sizemore, 28, initially injured his knee on April 1 last season and eventually required the microfracture operation, which was performed by Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo. The knee limited Sizemore to 33 games last year and his last full season came in 2008, when he hit .268 with 33 homers and 90 RBIs in 157 games.